Vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms (-460C/T, +405G/C, and 936C/T) and endometriosis: their influence on vascular endothelial growth factor expression.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze three functional vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms (-460C/T, +405G/C, and 936C/T) in women with and without endometriosis and their correlation with VEGF expression in endometrial tissue and peritoneal fluid (PF).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
University-based hospital.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-six women with endometriosis and 180 controls without the disease.


METHODS
Endometrial biopsies were performed by aspiration and PF samples were obtained at laparoscopy.


METHODS
VEGF polymorphisms (-460C/T, +405G/C, and 936C/T) were determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR assay was used to quantify VEGF-A messenger RNA (mRNA) and VEGF-A antigen levels were quantified by ELISA.


RESULTS
Patients with endometriosis showed a higher VEGF 936T allele frequency than controls. However, the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies in the other two VEGF (-460C/T, +405G/C) polymorphisms was similar in the endometriosis and control groups. Endometrium and PF from women with endometriosis showed an increase in VEGF levels, but no association was found between the VEGF polymorphisms studied and VEGF expression in endometrial tissue and PF.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the VEGF 936C/T polymorphism may be associated with the risk of endometriosis in a Caucasian population, but the increased VEGF levels observed in endometriosis do not appear to be associated with this polymorphism.
Cosín
Raúl
R
Research Center, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
Gilabert-Estellés
Juan
J
Maternal Hospital, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
Ramón
Luis A
LA
Research Center, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
España
Francisco
F
Research Center, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
Gilabert
Juan
J
Gynecology Service, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Valencia, Spain.
Romeu
Alberto
A
Maternal Hospital, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
Estellés
Amparo
A
Research Center, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: estelles_amp@gva.es.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020125:Mutation, Missense / Q000502:physiology; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A